The top reported proficiency rate is 20% in English language arts. The lowest is 0% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Mc Millan Magnet Middle School
McMillan Magnet Middle School sits within Omaha Public Schools, a large urban district that has recently committed to a major literacy push. The district launched its “Moonshot” initiative in 2024, aiming for all students to read on grade level by 2030 through a structured literacy curriculum grounded in the Science of Reading. This is a multi-year pedagogical shift embedded in the district’s strategic plan, so families with children at McMillan can expect reading instruction to evolve in a sustained way across the school.
McMillan serves sixth through eighth grade and is classified as a regular public school. Its enrollment is spread relatively evenly across the three middle school grades. The student body is diverse. Black students make up the largest share, followed by a substantial Hispanic population, a smaller White contingent, and Asian students, with a modest group of students who identify as two or more races and a very small American Indian or Alaska Native population. Information on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, receive special education services, or are English learners was not reported, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the level of support for those populations.
The school’s academic performance on the Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System is a significant area of concern. Across all tested grades and subjects, proficiency rates are very low. In mathematics, the rate in seventh grade is higher than in eighth grade, but both are well below a modest bar. In English language arts, the rate rises somewhat by eighth grade but remains low overall. No students scored proficient in the eighth-grade science assessment. When compared with districts across Douglas County, McMillan’s overall proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. For a family considering this school, these results are a central fact. The trend data do not show a clear upward trajectory; the available multi-year series show a similar pattern across recent years. A parent should want a thorough conversation with the school about what academic supports are in place and how the district’s Moonshot literacy initiative is being implemented in this particular building.
The school’s name includes the word “magnet,” but the data do not indicate its current magnet status or whether that designation is active. The school is part of Omaha Public Schools, not a charter, and Title I status was not reported.
The housing context in the surrounding area is a mix. The typical home value in the school’s zip code is notably below the statewide average, and values have been relatively flat recently. Rents are moderate relative to incomes. This suggests that the neighborhood around McMillan offers more affordable entry points to homeownership and rental housing than many other parts of the Omaha metro area.
Omaha itself is a major city with a robust economy anchored by several Fortune 500 headquarters, including Berkshire Hathaway and Union Pacific. The city’s downtown and the Old Market district provide cultural and entertainment amenities, though much of the residential fabric is car-dependent suburban development. The school is located in a north Omaha neighborhood, and families should consider the commute and neighborhood context.
The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. Civil rights data, such as discipline rates, was not available, nor were course access or staffing details. For a family evaluating McMillan, the decisive factors are likely the very low state assessment results, the need to confirm the school’s current program focus and magnet offerings, and the broader context of the district’s literacy-focused turnaround effort. The academic data present a clear challenge, and a parent would want to understand how the school addresses foundational skill gaps, especially in reading and math, before committing to this pathway.
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